SMILES project aimed to create school environments where the emotional and mental health of students is promoted, prioritized and protected. By addressing the essential connection between mental health and cognitive development, the project sought to enhance students’ overall well-being and academic performance. Our primary objective was to make schools inclusive and supportive environments where students could develop key emotional and mental health skills. This involved equipping teachers with the competencies to foster positive mental health practices, empowering students with tools to manage their emotions and build self-confidence, and engaging parents to emphasize these efforts at home. By involving these three key pillars: teachers, pupils, and parents SMILES project strived to foster collaboration within the educational community to reduce stigma around mental health, improve mental health literacy, and build a culture of mutual support.
The partnership applied for the SMILES project to address the urgent and growing mental health challenges faced by children, adolescents, and the broader educational community. The Covid-19 pandemic revealed a significant rise in mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and reduced emotional resilience, emphasizing the need for systemic intervention. Schools, as key environments for young people’s development lacked tools and strategies based on their needs to promote mental well-being effectively. SMILES aimed to create inclusive, mentally healthy school environments by equipping teachers, students, and parents with essential skills and resources. Teachers needed strategies to foster emotional resilience and detect mental health challenges at an early stage. Students required tools to manage emotions, build self-confidence, and strengthen peer connections. Parents needed guidance to better support their children at home. By adopting a holistic, collaborative approach, SMILES addressed these needs comprehensively, ensuring sustainable improvements in emotional well-being and mental health literacy for all of the three target groups.